Integrated circuit packages and methods for forming the same

ABSTRACT

A method includes forming an electrical connector over a substrate of a wafer, and molding a polymer layer, with at least a portion of the electrical connector molded in the polymer layer. A first sawing step is performed to form a trench in the polymer layer. After the first sawing step, a second sawing step is performed to saw the wafer into a plurality of dies.

PRIORITY CLAIM AND CROSS-REFERENCE

This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No.14/949,260, entitled “Integrated Circuit Packages and Methods forForming the Same,” filed on Nov. 23, 2015, which application is adivisional of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/529,179, entitled“Integrated Circuit Packages and Methods for Forming the Same,” filed onJun. 21, 2012, now U.S. Pat. No. 9,196,532 issued Nov. 24, 2015, whichapplications are incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND

In the formation of wafer-level chip scale package structures,integrated circuit devices such as transistors are first formed at thesurface of a semiconductor substrate in a wafer. An interconnectstructure is then formed over the integrated circuit devices. A metalpad is formed over, and is electrically coupled to, the interconnectstructure. A passivation layer and a first polyimide layer are formedover the metal pad, with the metal pad exposed through the openings inthe passivation layer and the first polyimide layer.

A seed layer is then formed on the first polyimide layer, followed bythe formation of Post-Passivation Interconnect (PPI) lines and pads. ThePPI lines and pads may be formed by forming and patterning a first photoresist on the seed layer, plating the PPI lines and pads in the openingsin the first photo resist, and then removing the first photo resist. Theportions of the seed layer that were previously covered by the firstphoto resist are removed. Next, a second polyimide layer is formed overthe PPI lines and pads, and an Under-Bump Metallurgy (UBM) is formedextending into an opening in the second polyimide layer. The UBM iselectrically connected to the PPI lines and pads. A solder bump is thenformed on the UBM.

The formation of the UBM also involves forming a UBM seed layer, formingand patterning a second photo resist, forming the UBM on the UBM seedlayer, removing the second photo resist, and removing the portions ofthe UBM seed layer that were previously covered by the second photoresist.

In the above-discussed process steps, two photo resists are formed andremoved, and two seed layers are formed and partially removed. Themanufacturing cost is thus high. Accordingly, a molding compound is usedto replace the second polyimide layer. The molding compound is appliedafter the solder bump is formed, and hence may protect the solder bumpfrom the damage caused by stresses.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

For a more complete understanding of the embodiments, and the advantagesthereof, reference is now made to the following descriptions taken inconjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIGS. 1 through 8 are cross-sectional views of intermediate stages inthe manufacturing of a chip, and the bonding of the chip, in accordancewith various embodiments;

FIG. 9 illustrates a top view of a wafer; and

FIG. 10 illustrates a top view of a chip sawed from the wafer.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF ILLUSTRATIVE EMBODIMENTS

The making and using of the embodiments of the disclosure are discussedin detail below. It should be appreciated, however, that the embodimentsprovide many applicable inventive concepts that can be embodied in awide variety of specific contexts. The specific embodiments discussedare illustrative, and do not limit the scope of the disclosure.

A package and the methods of forming the same are provided in accordancewith an embodiment. The intermediate stages of manufacturing the packagein accordance with various embodiments are illustrated. The variationsof the embodiment are also discussed. Throughout the various views andillustrative embodiments, like reference numbers are used to designatelike elements.

Referring to FIG. 1, wafer 100 is provided. Wafer 100 includes aplurality of chips 110 identical to each other, with scribe line 112separating neighboring chips 110 from each other. Wafer 100 includessubstrate 20, which may be a semiconductor substrate, such as a siliconsubstrate, although it may be formed of other semiconductor materialssuch as silicon germanium, silicon carbon, gallium arsenide, or thelike. Semiconductor devices 24, which include transistors, may be formedat the surface of substrate 20. Interconnect structure 22 is formed oversubstrate 20, and is electrically coupled to semiconductor devices 24.Interconnect structure 22 include metal lines and vias 23 formedtherein. The metal lines and vias may be formed of copper or copperalloys, and may be formed using damascene processes. Interconnectstructure 22 may include an inter-layer dielectric (ILD) and inter-metaldielectrics (IMDs), which may comprise low-k dielectric materials. Inalternative embodiments, wafer 100 is an interposer wafer or a packagesubstrate, and is substantially free from integrated circuit devicesincluding transistors, resistors, capacitors, inductors, and/or thelike, formed therein.

Metal pad 28 is formed over interconnect structure 22. Metal pad 28 maycomprise aluminum (Al), copper (Cu), silver (Ag), gold (Au), nickel(Ni), tungsten (W), alloys thereof, and/or multi-layers thereof. Metalpad 28 may be electrically coupled to semiconductor devices 24, forexample, through the underlying interconnect structure 22. Passivationlayer 30 may be formed to cover edge portions of metal pad 28. In anexemplary embodiment, passivation layer 30 is formed of a silicon oxidelayer and a silicon nitride layer over the silicon oxide layer, althoughother dielectric materials may be used. An opening is formed inpassivation layer 30.

Each of chips 110 includes a seal ring 26 that is formed adjacent to therespective peripheral region. It is appreciated that each of chips 110may include more seal rings, with the outer seal rings encircling theinner seal rings, although one seal ring 26 is illustrated. Referring toFIG. 9, which is a top view of wafer 100, each of seal rings 26 may havefour edges, each being close to, and parallel to, one edge of therespective chip 110. As shown in FIG. 1, seal ring 26 may include aplurality of portions that are stacked, which portions may includecontact plugs 26A, metal lines 26B, metal vias 26C, metal line 26D,and/or the like. Contact plugs 26A may be in contact with substrate 20in some embodiments. Metal line 26D is over the top metal layer ofinterconnects structure 22, and is formed in passivation layer 30.Furthermore, metal line 26D is formed simultaneously as, and is formedof a same material as, metal pad 28. Metal line 26 may be omitted inalternative embodiments. Each of contact plugs 26A, metal lines 26B,metal vias 26C, and metal line 26D may form a full ring. The rings ofcontact plugs 26A, metal lines 26B, metal vias 26C, and metal line 26Dare interconnected, so that the entire seal ring 26 is a closed-loopring.

Polymer layer 32 is formed over passivation layer 30. In someembodiments, polymer layer 32 is a polyimide layer, and hence isreferred to as polyimide layer 32 hereinafter, although it may also beformed of other polymers. Polyimide layer 32 extends into the opening inpassivation layer 30. A center portion of metal pad 28 is not covered bypolyimide layer 32.

Next, as shown in FIG. 2, seed layer 40 is blanket formed over polyimidelayer 32. Seed layer 40 may include layers 40A and 40B. Layer 40A may bea titanium layer, a titanium nitride layer, a tantalum layer, a tantalumnitride layer, or the like. The materials of layer 40B may includecopper or copper alloys. In some embodiments, seed layer 40 is formedusing physical vapor deposition, although other applicable methods mayalso be used.

FIG. 3 illustrates the formation of mask 46. In some embodiments, mask46 is formed of a photo resist, and hence is alternatively referred toas photo resist 46 throughout the description, although other materialssuch as dry films may be used. A portion of seed layer 40 is exposedthrough opening 48 in mask 46. Next, a plating step is performed to formPost-Passivation Interconnect (PPI) 50 in opening 48. PPI 50 may beformed of copper or copper alloys, and may include PPI line 50A and PPIpad 50B.

Referring to FIG. 4, after the formation of PPI 50, mask 46 is removed.Next, the exposed portions of seed layer 40 that were previously coveredby mask 46 are removed using etching, while the portions of seed layer40 covered by PPI 50 remain un-removed. Throughout the description, PPI50 and the underlying remaining portions of seed layer 40 are incombination referred to as PPI 51.

FIG. 4 illustrates the formation of electrical connector 52, which isover and electrically coupled to PPI 51. In some embodiments, electricalconnector 52 comprises a solder bump, which may be placed on PPI 51(such as on PPI pad 51B) and reflowed. The solder bump may compriseSn—Ag, Sn—Ag—Cu, or the like, and may be lead-free or lead-containing.In some embodiments, electrical connector 52 may also include anadditional metal portion (schematically illustrated as 52A) underlyingthe solder bump (schematically illustrated as 52B), wherein theadditional metal portion 52A may comprise a nickel layer, a palladiumlayer, a titanium layer, a tantalum layer, combinations thereof, and/ormulti-layers thereof. Metal portion 52A may be plated on PPI 51 byforming an additional mask layer (not shown) on PPI 51, and platingmetal portion 52 in the opening in the additional mask layer. Theadditional mask layer is then removed. In the embodiments in which metalportion 52A is formed, the solder bump 52B may also be formed byplating, followed by reflowing.

Next, as shown in FIG. 5, polymer layer 54 is applied on wafer 100, andthen cured. The bottom surface of polymer layer 54 may be in contactwith the top surface of PPI 51 and/or the top surface of polymer layer32. After the formation of polymer layer 54, electrical connector 52 mayhave a top portion over the top surface 54A of polymer layer 54, and abottom portion in polymer layer 54. In some embodiments, polymer layer54 comprises a liquid molding compound, which is such named because ithas a low viscosity than some other molding compounds at the time it isdispensed. The liquid molding compound is also cured as a solid afterdispensing. Polymer layer 54 may be formed using compress molding,transfer molding, or the like.

In FIG. 6. A first sawing step is performed to form trench 56 in polymerlayer 54. In some embodiments, trench 56 is formed using a blade to sawpolymer layer 54. Bottom 56A of trench 56 is higher than top surface 32Aof polymer layer 32. Accordingly, a remaining layer 54′ of polymer layer54 is left underlying trench 56. Thickness T1 of the remaining layer 54′may be between about 1 percent and about 40 percent thickness T2 ofpolymer layer 54. Thickness T1 may also be between about 1 μm and about30 μm in some embodiments, although thickness T1 may be greater orsmaller. Thickness T1 is also small enough, so that the remainingpolymer layer 54′ is transparent. Accordingly, the features such as sealring 26 or alignment marks (not shown) that are at the same level asmetal pads 28 and underlying trench 56 are visible through the remainingpolymer layer 54′ and polymer layer 32. On the other hand, the un-sawedportion of polymer 54 that has thickness T2 is opaque, and theunderlying features are not visible.

In some embodiments, the cross-sectional view of trench 56 has aninverse trapezoid shape, with top width W1 greater than bottom width W2.Bottom surface 56A of trench 56 may be substantially flat, asillustrated, or may be sloped. Edges 56B of trench 56 may be slanted, asshown in FIG. 6. Slant angle α of edges 56B may be between 1 degree andabout 90 degrees. Alternatively, edges 56B of trench 56 may besubstantially perpendicular to bottom surface 56A of trench 56.

Trench 56 comprises a portion in scribe line 112. Furthermore, trench 56may extend into chips 110 that are on the opposite sides of scribe line112. In some embodiments, trench 56 overlaps a portion of seal ring 26.The edge 56B of trench 56 may overlap seal ring 26, or may be on theinner side (the left side of left seal ring 26 and the right side ofright seal ring 26) of seal ring 26. In alternative embodiments, trench56 does not overlap seal ring 26, and dashed lines 56B′ schematicallyillustrate the positions of the edges of trench 56 in these embodiments.

Referring to FIG. 7, a die saw step (a second sawing step) is performedto saw wafer 100 into a plurality of dies 110, with kerf 60 formed inthe second sawing step. FIG. 9 illustrates a top view of wafer 100,wherein the positions of exemplary scribe lines 112, trenches 56, sealrings 26, kerves 60, and the like, are schematically illustrated.Referring again to FIG. 7, kerf 60 is inside scribe lines 112, and widthW3 of the kerf 60 is smaller than top width W1 and bottom width W2 oftrench 56. After the sawing step, notches 58 are formed in polymer layer54 as a result of trench 56, wherein notches 58 extend from edges ofdies 110 inwardly toward the center of the respective dies 120.Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 10, which is the top view of one of dies110, notches 58 on the four sides of die 110 are interconnected to forma notch ring, wherein edges 56B of the notch ring may be tilted. In theillustrated embodiments in FIG. 10, edges 56B that are shown with solidlines are on the outer sides of seal ring 26. In alternativeembodiments, edges 56B may overlap seal ring 26, in on the inner sidesof the seal ring 26, as shown with dashed lines.

FIG. 8 illustrates the bonding of die 110 to package component 200,which may be a package substrate (a laminate substrate or a build upsubstrate, for example), a Printed Circuit Board (PCB), or the like.During the bonding process, electrical connector 52 may be reflowed tojoin die 110 with package component 200. Notch 58 is illustrated in FIG.8.

In the embodiments, two sawing steps are performed. The first sawingstep results in the thinning of the portion of polymer layer 54 that isclose to the peripheral of chips 110 (FIG. 7), and possibly the portionof polymer layer 54 that overlaps seal ring 26. The thinned polymerlayer 54 is at least partially transparent due to its small thickness.Accordingly, seal ring 26 and/or other alignment marks under polymerlayer 54 may be visible when the second sawing step is performed. Theseal ring and/or the alignment marks may be used for alignment in thesecond sawing step. Better alignment may thus be achieved. This resultsin the reduction in the accidental sawing on seal ring 26 due to themisalignment. Furthermore, since polymer layer 54 and substrate 20(which may be a silicon substrate) have a significant mismatch in theirCoefficients of Thermal Expansion (CTE), when die 110 is bonded topackage component 200, die 110 may have die edge crack, which maypropagate to the center of die 110, causing yield loss. With the firstsawing step, however, the volume of polymer layer 54 is reduced, and thestress due to CTE mismatch is also reduced.

In accordance with embodiments, a method includes forming an electricalconnector over a substrate of a wafer, and molding a polymer layer, withat least a portion of the electrical connector molded in the polymerlayer. A first sawing step is performed to form a trench in the polymerlayer. After the first sawing step, a second sawing step is performed tosaw the wafer into a plurality of dies.

In accordance with other embodiments, a method includes forming aPost-Passivation Interconnect (PPI) over a substrate of a wafer, formingan electrical connector over and electrically coupled to the PPI, andmolding a polymer layer over the PPI, wherein a lower portion of theelectrical connector is molded in the polymer layer. A first sawing stepis performed to form a trench in the polymer layer, wherein the trenchincludes a portion in a scribe line between a first chip and a secondchip of the wafer. After the first sawing step, a second sawing step isperformed to saw through the scribe line and to separate the first andthe second chips from each other, wherein a kerf of the second sawingstep passes through a middle portion of the trench.

In accordance with yet other embodiments, a chip includes a substrate,an electrical connector over the substrate, and a polymer layeroverlying the substrate. A lower portion of the electrical connector isin the polymer layer. A notch ring includes portions adjacent to edgesof the chip. The notch ring further extends from edges of the chipinwardly toward a center of the chip.

Although the embodiments and their advantages have been described indetail, it should be understood that various changes, substitutions andalterations can be made herein without departing from the spirit andscope of the embodiments as defined by the appended claims. Moreover,the scope of the present application is not intended to be limited tothe particular embodiments of the process, machine, manufacture, andcomposition of matter, means, methods and steps described in thespecification. As one of ordinary skill in the art will readilyappreciate from the disclosure, processes, machines, manufacture,compositions of matter, means, methods, or steps, presently existing orlater to be developed, that perform substantially the same function orachieve substantially the same result as the corresponding embodimentsdescribed herein may be utilized according to the disclosure.Accordingly, the appended claims are intended to include within theirscope such processes, machines, manufacture, compositions of matter,means, methods, or steps. In addition, each claim constitutes a separateembodiment, and the combination of various claims and embodiments arewithin the scope of the disclosure.

What is claimed is:
 1. A chip comprising: a substrate; a metal pad overthe substrate; a passivation layer having a portion over the metal pad;a polymer layer over the passivation layer, wherein the polymer layerextends to an edge of the chip, and a first edge of the polymer layerforms a part of the edge of the chip; an electrical connector; and amolding compound encircling a portion of the electrical connector,wherein a lower portion of the electrical connector is in the moldingcompound, and wherein the molding compound comprises a surfacecomprising: a first horizontal surface substantially perpendicular tothe edge of the chip; and a slant sidewall surface, wherein the firsthorizontal surface is connected to a first end of the slant sidewallsurface, and the slant sidewall surface is neither perpendicular to norparallel to the edge of the chip.
 2. The chip of claim 1 furthercomprising a second horizontal surface substantially perpendicular tothe edge of the chip, wherein the second horizontal surface is connectedto a second end of the slant sidewall surface, and the first horizontalsurface, the slant sidewall surface, and the second horizontal surfaceform a step.
 3. The chip of claim 1, wherein the first horizontalsurface extends to the electrical connector.
 4. The chip of claim 1further comprising: a plurality of dielectric layers underlying themetal pad; and a seal ring proximal edges of the chip, wherein the sealring extends into the plurality of dielectric layers.
 5. The chip ofclaim 4, wherein the molding compound comprises: first portions onopposite sides of electrical connector, wherein the first portions areopaque; and a second portion overlapping the seal ring, wherein the sealring is visible through the second portion.
 6. The chip of claim 5,wherein the first portions and the second portion of the moldingcompound are formed of a same material.
 7. The chip of claim 1 furthercomprising: a Post-Passivation Interconnect (PPI) over the passivationlayer, wherein the PPI extends into an opening in the polymer layer andthe passivation layer to electrically couple to the metal pad.
 8. Thechip of claim 1, wherein the molding compound comprises: a first bottomsurface contacting a top surface of the PPI; and a second bottom surfacecontacting a top surface of the polymer layer, wherein an entirety ofthe molding compound is over the top surface of the polymer layer.
 9. Achip comprising: a metallic feature adjacent to an edge of the chip; asolder region; and an encapsulating material encapsulating a lowerportion of the solder region therein, wherein an upper portion of thesolder region protrudes higher than first top surfaces of theencapsulating material, and wherein the encapsulating materialcomprises: a first surface; a sidewall surface; and a second surfaceextending to the edge of the chip, wherein the first surface, thesidewall surface, and the second surface form a step, and the firstsurface and the second surface are substantially parallel to each other,and a portion of the encapsulating material having the second surface isthin enough to allow the metallic feature to be visible through theencapsulating material.
 10. The chip of claim 9, wherein the secondsurface extends to, and is substantially perpendicular to, an edge ofthe chip.
 11. The chip of claim 10, wherein the sidewall surface isneither perpendicular to nor parallel to the edge of the chip.
 12. Thechip of claim 9, wherein the first surface, the sidewall surface, andthe second surface forms a portion of a notch extending into theencapsulating material, and the notch comprises four sides, eachextending to one of four edges of the chip.
 13. The chip of claim 9,wherein the encapsulating material comprises: a first portion having thefirst surface, wherein the first portion is opaque; and a second portionhaving the second surface, wherein the second portion is thin enough tobe at least partially transparent.
 14. the chip of claim 9, wherein aportion of the encapsulating material having the first surface isthicker than the portion of the encapsulating material having the secondsurface.
 15. A chip comprising: a seal ring proximal a peripheral of thechip; a polymer layer over the seal ring; and an encapsulating materialover the polymer layer, wherein each of the polymer layer and theencapsulating material comprises a first portion directly over the sealring, and the first portions of the polymer layer and the encapsulatingmaterial in combination are at least partially transparent to allow theseal ring to be visible.
 16. The chip of claim 15, wherein theencapsulating material further comprises a second portion adjacent tothe first portion of the encapsulating material, and the second portionis opaque.
 17. The chip of claim 15 comprising a notch ring extendinginto the encapsulating material, wherein the first portions of thepolymer layer and the encapsulating material are overlapped by a portionof the notch ring.
 18. The chip of claim 15, wherein the encapsulatingmaterial comprises: a first surface; a sidewall surface; and a secondsurface extending to an edge of the chip, wherein the first surface, thesidewall surface, and the second surface form a step, and the firstsurface and the second surface are substantially parallel to each other.19. The chip of claim 15, wherein the encapsulating material comprises amolding compound.